President Obama told the press today that he likes a good party, and he’s getting a little lonely in the big old White House. If he can just be patient a little while longer, he’ll enjoy several hundred thousand visitors to his inauguration Jan. 21. That number is down sharply from 2009’s attendance figures, when 1.8 million witnessed Obama taking the oath.

#Inauguration Forecast: Estimates of turnout are 600,000 to 800,000, compared with the 1.8 million in the record crowd four years ago. #DC

That should save a buck or two, shouldn’t it? Still, the inaugural committee is hoping to raise $50 million to cover costs, which is comparable to the $53.2 million raised in 2009.

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that party planners are about $8 million short, despite the fact that the Inauguration Committee is accepting donations up to $1 million and this time around welcoming cash from corporations, although only 8 corporate donors have pledged money.

It is smaller. There will be only two official inaugural balls, compared to the 10 held in 2009. Beyonce, who in September co-hosted a $4 million fundraiser with husband Jay-Z, will sing the national anthem. Speaking of Jay and Bey, we wonder if they had any say in the party planning.

Guess who spent a whopping $200,000 on their kid’s first birthday… huff.to/ZPXMjY